Paper web tensioning means for reel-fed printing presses



Sept. 27, 1932. JAMES 1,879,902

PAPER WEB TENSIONING MEANS FOR REEL FED PRINTING PRESSES Filed July 27, 1931 AWbRA EV Patented Sept. 27, 1932 PATENT OFFICE HENRY VINCENT JAMES, OF RADLETI, ENGLAND PAPER WEB 'rnnsromne MEANS r012. REEL-FED PRINTING rnnssns Application filed July 27, 1931, Serial No. 553,398, .and'in Great Britain June 26, 1931.

This invention relates to paper reel and web feed control apparatus for rotary print ing presses wherein the web is fed to the press continuously from successive reels which are supplied by a magazine reel feed system, an-

chored belts or hands being applied directly to the periphery of the reel in use for direct reel control and web tensioning purposes.

It is the usual practice to use a number of the said belts, generally four, tied between flexible floor anchorages at their one ends and a rotatable roller at their other ends located in such a position that the belts will be within the arc of the reel throughout its unwinding life, tension being obtained by rotation of the roller actuated by solenoid or torque motor, or by weights suspended directly by the belts, for the purposes of web feed tension and to prevent reel overrun at 2 slow down or stoppage of the press.

My invention consists in improved means for rotating the belt tensioning roller for the purposes described and primarily consists in an epicyolic or three-element gear having 5 one element which I will refer to as the first,

mechanically attached to and adapted to r0- tate the belt tensioning roller, another element, which I will call the second, driven by an electric motor, and the remaining or third element suitably electro-magnetically or electro-dynamically braked for the purpose of varying the effort applied to the first element, means being provided for regulating the brake torque of the third element.

In the method described in the. foregoing the electro-dynamic braking device coupled to the third element comprises a direct current generator which is driven continuously through the epicyolic gear by the electric motor coupled to the second element, and means are provided for regulating the speed of the electric motor and/or the speed of the generator, the means for regulating the speed of the generator being in the field and/or armature circuits thereof, for the purpose of controlling the energy generated by the generator and the corresponding energy imparted to the first element for variable web tension and reel rotation control. This arrangement is particularly suited for use when alternating electric current is available for driving the motor coupled to the second element. In this case the motor I employ is most satisfactorily of constant speed type,

whilst the direct current generator is usually a of self-exciting type. I wish it to be understood, however, that the motor may be of the direct current type; and that the generator may be separately excited where a source of direct electric current is available. I

ments respectively of the gear. The two lat-' -ter elements include shafts 6 and 7 onthe inner ends of which the wheels 4 and 5 are mounted and the outer ends of which are connected one, as 6, with the rotor 26 of the motor 23 and the other, as 7, with the armature 27 of a direct current generator 2a. The so sprocket 1 acts through a chain drive 11I12 to turn a. belt roller l3 which tensions the belts, such as 14, against the pull of springs 15 anchoring the bottoms of the belts, so that the reel 16 is retarded due to the contact beso tween its periphery and'the belt and the running web is tensioned. 7

V The constant s eed electric current motor 23 continuously rives a direct current generator 24v through the epicyolic gear deto scribed. i

The generator 24 is of the shunt wound self exciting type provided with a variable regulator 28 associated with the armature and field circuits and of such an ohmic value that 96 when all resistance in the regulator is introduced into circuit the generator will fail effectively to excite and minimum or negligible torque will, be imparted to the first element the generator armatureobeing driven freely in 109 its bearing by the electric motor '23, the trans mission being through gears l, 3-3 and 5, 33 rotating idly on their stubs, which latter remain substantially stationary, the gear case carrier 2 and sprocket 1 being virtually idle and the web tensioning belts (14 Fig. 2) being slack.

As the ohmic value of the resistance in the regulator 28 is decreased the generator will effectively excite and proportionately as the ohmic resistance value in the circuit and cor responding excitation, so will be the energy generated by the generator also the turning effort and torque imparted to the first element, likewise that developed on the sprocket 1 through the case 2 and the tension on the reel braking belts for the required web tension and reel rotationcontrol.

, Any suitable known torque control means for the generator may be employed, for example the regulator may be coupled potentiometer-wise or the field of the generator may be in long or short connection. The generator may also be or" any suitable known kind and the motor ma be 's eed re ulated 9 .l p c by any known means whether of the alternating or direct current types.

This application and the claims herein are directed specifically to the form shown, the generic claims covering the invention being contained in 'my copending application filed- August 25, 1930, Serial #477,772.

What I claim is 1. In apparatus for the control of a rotary paper reel and the paper web therefrom which supplies a printing machine, a triotion band making contact with the periphery of the reel for restraining the rotation of the reel and tensioning the said web, a roller to which one end of the band is attached, ananchorage at the other end of the band and means for rotating the roller for tautening and slackening the belt and so Varying the which one end of the band is attached, an anchorage at the other end of the band and means for rotating the roller for tautening and slackening the belt and so varying the effort of the band on the reel, the means for rotating the roller comprising an epicyclic gear, a coupling between one element of the gear and the roller, an alternating electric current constant speed motor, a coupling be tween this motor and another element of the gear, a direct current electric generator which is driven continuously through the gear by the said motor, and a variable ohmic regulator in the circuit of the generator for adjustment of the energy generated and the turning effort or torque transmitted, through the gear, to the element coupled to the roller for the purpose of variably'imparting a rotary turning eflort to the said roller.

3. In apparatus according to claim 2, a regulator introduced. into circuit with the electric motor for the purpose of varying the speed of the motor and itsturning effort on the generator to impart a rotary turning ef fort to the element coupled to the roller.

4. In apparatus according to claim 2, regulating means in both the motor and generator circuits for varying the turning efi'ort applied to the roller.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HENRY VINCENT JAMES.

effort of the band on the reel, the means for I rotating the roller comprising an epicyclic gear, a coupling between one element of the gear and the roller, a constant speed motor, a coupling between this motor and another element of the gear, a direct electric current generator coupled to a further element of the gear, said generator being driven continuous- 1y through the gear by the motor, and avariable ohmic regulator in circuit with the gen erator for adjustment of the energy generated and the turing effort or torquetransmitted, through the gear, from the motor to the element coupled with the roller for imparting a rotary turning effort to the said roller.

2. In apparatus for the control or" a rotary paper reel and the paper web therefrom which supplies a printing machine, a triotion band making contact with the periphery of the reel for restraining the rotation of the reeland tensioning the said web, a roller to 

